1. RESEARCH GRANT ON PRODUCTIVITY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION FOR UNIVERSITIES
Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
Lorong Produktiviti, Jalan Sultan
46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

2. BACKGROUND
The Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP) aims to increase the contribution of multi-factor productivity (MFP) to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to 40% by 2020, as well as increase labour productivity growth to 3.7% per annum during the Plan period.
To achieve this, efforts need to be focused on driving productivity improvements over the next few years against a challenging global context of declining productivity, increasingly competitive markets and worsening global macroeconomic trends.
Research studies on the development of productivity and competitiveness play vital roles for MPC in achieving government target.

3. OBJECTIVES a) Provide research support on
the development of productivity
and competitiveness in Malaysia;
b) Strengthen collaboration
between MPC and universities by leveraging expertise of universities;
c) Create productivity movement and inclusiveness; and
d) Ramp-up in helping business and regulators to improve productivity.

4. Research Priority Areas
THEMATIC ASPECTS:
a) Human capital
b) Technology
c) Incentives
d) Regulatory
e) Behavioural Insights
SECTORIAL ASPECTS:
a) Electrical and Electronics
b) Retail
c) Healthcare
d) Tourism
e) Professional Services
f) Agrofood
g) ICT
h) Chemical
i) Machinery and equipment

5. Types of Research SHORT TERM HIGH IMPACT RESEARCH
Addresses issues of immediate relevance to improve productivity and competitiveness of identified industries.
fast results that can contribute towards resolving contemporary problems. In most cases, project time frame should not exceed six months.
MODERATE TERM RESEARCH
This type of research investigates longer term trends and behavior related to productivity.
Fast results are not critical, but the outcomes can represent real contributions towards good regulatory practices in identified areas.
Policy research usually qualifies under this category.
Project timeframe can extend up to one (1) year.
LONG TERM RESEARCH
Projects under this category are aimed at putting selected industries on competitive terms in the context of globalization and liberalisation. Project timeframe can extend up to two (2) to three (3) years.

6. Financial Provisions Emoluments for contract personnel
Travel and transportation costs
Research materials and supplies
Day living allowances
Rental of equipment
Minor Modifications and Repairs
Special Equipment and Accessories

7. Special Services
Services can include among others:
a) Computer services specific to the project, including rental fees (fees for computer or telephone networks may be included in the indirect costs).
b) Express courier services (Fedex, DHL, TNT, UPS etc.). Express courier services (Fedex, DHL, TNT, UPS etc.).
c) Sponsorship of research assistant to seminars/workshops
Sponsorship of researchers to seminars/workshops is allowed. However, sponsorship of research assistants to seminars/workshops requires prior approval from MPC Research Expert Panels and is limited to two (2) persons.

8. Honorarium for researchers (on case by case basis)
Research allocation
The approved grant amount represents the maximum a researcher can spend from the fund. Any excess cannot be utilized for other purposes and should be returned to MPC within 3 months after submission of the final report or upon request by MPC. No cross-transfer of funds between projects is allowed. An institution is not allowed to take any percentages out of the total allocation awarded to research projects.

9. Costs that do not qualify
The funds do not cover the following:
a) Purchase of equipment or gadgets likely to end up as personal items unless recommended for approval by Panel of Expert;
b) Emoluments for full time staff; and
c) Cost of construction or purchase, or rental, of premises for research purposes.

10. Payment of grant
After approval, MPC Research Secretariat may release 100% of the funds upfront or in case to case basis, after approval, 50% of the funds are transferred to the institution upon start of the project.
The remaining 50% (or lesser) of the approved funds are paid out upon receipt of the progress report (as required by the MPC Research Secretariat) on case-by-case basis upon recommendations by the Panel of Experts.

11. Project Extension
Requests for project extensions must be made to the Secretariat at least 3 months before completion date of the project. The maximum period for project extension is not more than 6 months

12. Evaluation Process Evaluation by MPC Research Panel of Experts
The applicant must submit to MPC Research Secretariat a copy of the recommended proposal.
MPC Research Secretariat shall verify the proposal by the organisation. MPC Research Panel of Experts shall evaluates the recommended proposal, financial proposal and reports on the evaluation.

13. Review and Approval Process
2 levels of evaluation:
Level 1: Internal review: Appropriateness of area etc
Level 2: The External Panel of Experts will conduct technical evaluation of the proposal taking into consideration the following:
a) Scope and activities of the proposed research project
b) Research objectives
c) Research methodology
d) Project duration
e) Project leader and
f) Budget requirement
g) Outcome and impact

14. Result of Application
Grant applicants not selected for funding will be notified of the reasons for the rejection of their research proposals.
Such research proposals may be amended and re-submitted for a second round of evaluation. In the event that the re-submitted research proposal is again not selected for funding, it may not again be re-submitted.
The decision of MPC Research Panels and the External Panel of Experts is final and no appeals will be entertained.

15. Other matters 11. Implementation and Monitoring of Projects
11.1 Project Implementation
11.2 Project Monitoring
11.3 Reporting on the Output of the Grant-Funded Projects
11.4 Project Failure
12. Presentations, Publications and Intellectual Property Rights
12.1 Presentations and Publications
12.2 Intellectual Property Rights

16. Documents to be submitted
You are required to fill in:
Appendix 1: Application Form/Proposal
Appendix 2: CV

17. Submission
Submission of application (2 hard copies) should be forwarded to:
MPC Research Secretariat
Malaysia Productivity Corporation (Petaling Jaya Office)
A Level 6, Blok A, PJ 8
No. 23, Jalan Barat, Seksyen 8
46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: Fax:
DATELINE: 30 JUNE 2018 or